Eric finally raised his head. “Madison, not today.”

“Especially today,” she snapped. “We’re not running a retirement home.”

Something inside me went still.

Not broken.

Still.

I went upstairs and packed one suitcase, Eleanor’s photograph, and the watch she had given me on our fortieth anniversary.

When I returned, Madison smirked.

“That was fast.”

“I don’t own much here,” I said.

She laughed. “Exactly.”

Then headlights swept across the windows.

A black Bentley pulled up beside the curb, followed by a Range Rover.

My estate manager, Samuel Price, stepped from the Bentley wearing a dark suit.

Madison’s expression shifted.

Samuel opened the rear door for me.

“Mr. Hale,” he said. “The ranch is ready. We moved Mrs. Hale’s personal effects this morning, as instructed.”

Madison blinked.

“Ranch?”

I picked up my suitcase.

Samuel looked from her to Eric.

“The Hale River Ranch.”

Eric turned pale.

Madison gave a nervous laugh. “What is that?”

I stopped at the door.